Question from someone curious
Hi! I've been all over this site all day since the moment I woke up and I appreciate all the help so many ladies have offered but I'm finding a lot of the questions and answers are 3/4+ years old and not sure if things in the industry have changed much.
My fiance and I have hit a tough time due to a sudden and life threatening condition he has. After three months we've gone through our savings and with him not being able to work (he is currently in the hospital AGAIN), us up to our eye balls in medical bill debt, and me working two jobs but still not enough to cover our mortgage and other expenses plus trying to finish for my degree. So after several days of discussion him and I decided it might be a good idea to sign up with Streamates (directly, not a studio) to make extra cash so that we don't lose our house.
I admit I am nervous because of many things I've read on here about identity thieves, sites selling SS numbers, addresses and the like.
My questions are:
1.) Is it still common practice for sites to sell important identity information? I read the Terms and Agreements twice and only found where they -might- record your sessions and then sell them, but nothing about them packaging your address, social security number and driver's license number and selling them to anyone that asks. I haven't sent them any scans of my license nor have I filled out the personal information page where it asks for my SS.
2.) The Agreement states "Streamates will not pay or make any FICA (Social Security and Medicare taxes) or other local, state, federal or VAT taxes, including any workers compensation or unemployment premiums, income taxes or federal unemployment compensation contributions, on behalf of Performer/Studio." so how then are taxes paid? How does one file and claim this income so that the IRS doesn't come pounding on your door? And if they will not pay into taxes why do they even need my social security number?
3.) I had thought of doing this without help from a site, the idea was to create a persona through social media, charge clients through ecampay (which I cannot even find online even though it was heavily recommended on here years ago which brings me back to why I'm even posting this) and deliver through Skype or MSN. I understand that this route would take more time and longer to pay off but would it be safer in the long run?
Thank you for your help in advance!
Re: Question from someone curious
Legit sites don't sell your SSN or personal info.
Any site that has performers working from the US and has a presence in the US who does not ask for your SSN is breaking the law because they are required to send you a 1099 form and report your income, same is if you were doing contract work for any other business. You are in business for yourself, not an employee so like any other business that hires contactors you are responsible for your own taxes.
I dont think ecampay exists any more.
Re: Question from someone curious
Laurielegs is right, streamate will not sell your SSN etc. They definitely do record and sell your shows though, and it's practically inevitable that you will have pirated videos floating around the internet.
Check out this thread for tax info: https://www.stripperweb.com/forum/sh...still-worth-it
You will be an independent contractor, which means they don't take any money out and you have to file quarterly taxes for yourself.
As far as working independently goes, my advice would be to start on a site like Streamate (in fact, Streamate in particular is a great site for newbies). Cam girls who work independently usually are only successful once they have built up a following and have been in the industry for some time. I'm sure this isn't true for everyone, but you're far more likely to be successful if you establish yourself through a cam site before going independent. As far as safety goes, you're just as likely to be recorded etc working independently as you would be working for a site.
Best wishes, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
Re: Question from someone curious
Thank you for taking the time to read my newbie thread. You both have truly set my mind at ease. This has not been an easy time nor has this been an easy choice but knowing that Streamates won't sell my identity makes me feel a bit better. Although I am still weary of the whole tax aspect of the situation simply because I'm not well read on tax law and worried I may file wrong, I guess I will have to learn sooner or later.
Re: Question from someone curious
Part of selling shows is advertisements but most camsites you agree to let your content/images be licensed - it is a tacit agreement of "we own your images, content, etc in perpetuity and basically can do we want", tacitly that means licensing? In order to make that kind of agreement your 2257 info has to be resold for the licenser to truly own the license for resale? A guy named "pornlaw" made a few posts about this, sorry I cant pull it right now but that's why he's suggested people sign up for camsites with passports in case their 2257 info is resold --- so your address isnt known.
I am not sure if there is a true guarantee that SM does not license out info? Given their partnerships with tubesites that sell/buy licenses and contracts being so vague, Im curious how people know this for sure? Do you mean they dont now (seems so) or do you mean in perpetuity they wont? Is there a legal guarantee of this somewhere? I dont mean what admins say via email I mean contractually?
Most licensed content Ive found and/or bought have been a few years old and professional but Ive seen some amateur ones --- and SM's contract is vague enough around this - I think people who have gold clubs are prob most at risk for licensing down the line in case the site decides to start licensing old content on their servers or something.
But OP that is all overly detailed do you mean will sites leak personal info? The only instances Ive personally seen that's documented on SW was one virtual studio for a major camsite had a website full of their performers stuff & an indie site (that now no longer exists) forgot to lock/hide their private directory of model's IDs. So it is super super rare, I think dodging virtual studios is a safety guarantee in terms of leaks? Bc virtual studios are run by paraprofessionals and whoever who is processing your applications are more likely to not know how to secure websites - while signing up directly for a camsite full of salaried developers/security types/ppl who have to store their 2257 info legally it minimizes that likelihood dramatically.
Re: Question from someone curious
You're welcome! I know how scary and crazy it seems starting out.
As far as taxes go, it's not as hard to figure out as you might think, especially after reading the thread I linked thoroughly. :) With that said, I have a CPA that helps me, and a lot of other camgirls do too. Try to get someone who isn't in a "bigbox" business (the ones that pop up around tax time advertising on TV etc), as they tend to be less qualified and won't know all the ins and outs of what you need.
For what it's worth, I've been camming for about 8 months, and I've worked on Streamate for most of that time. It's a great site and I love working there. However, don't be afraid to try other sites too! Each site is pretty different, and depending on your personality and preferences you might like other sites better. Keep looking through Stripperweb and read up on as many tips as you can and you'll be fine. :D
Re: Question from someone curious
@roast - I was under the impression that when they sold your pictures or videos, it came attached with your personal information such as address and social security number. I'm not saying I'm so amazing and sexy that they're going to record everything I do and sell it all, I know in all reality that there is a low chance they even notice I'm there with how many high level members they have to keep track of, I was asking for on the off chance they do feel the need to sell anything I produce. All I was truly worried about as far as personal information goes was that they would sell it as a whole (pictures, videos, address, SS number, phone number, direct deposit information, blood type if they know it lol) to anyone or that it would be leaked (accidentally or on purpose).
Re: Question from someone curious
^SSN + address + phone number + blood type (haha no no but I understand) noooooo, not at all, and my answer was overly speculative and honestly not helpful to what your question was. Def not from reputable companies. Ive seen a few but theyre like shitty hyper-amateur photographer aka GWC reallife sets and stuff who dont know what they need to hand over (which isnt much at all) and end up giving away more than they shouldve. And even that is super rare bc as long as you dont do xxx photosets for someone with no references or a website for a few bucks (or free) off of idk Craigslist who resells licenses on forums the likelihood of any of that extra stuff being released/sold is nonexistent. What 2257 stuff they can resell (and likelihood of that is low in general) is described here under "what records are required", which is none of what you wrote out & the likelihood of that happening in general is low.... which is what I shouldve said initially lol but I went on a rambly tangent, so uhhh 'scuse me.
Re: Question from someone curious
The tax stuff isn't really something you have to worry about right now, except to be aware that the government will have a record of your 1099 from cam companies. I don't know what your degree is for, but consider that. When I started on SM, they didn't issue 1099s. Though I still filed taxes, the info wasn't attached to a company name, thus giving me "fudge" room on job apps. Then they started issuing 1099s & my college degree is worthless pretty much. I was naive.
With you starting so late in the year, the tax thing isn't a big deal. Just go to the IRS website & read up on Quarterly Estimated Payments. But we just paid 3rd quarter, so you don't have to worry about it until at least Jan 2014. Just put 30% of your earnings aside for taxes if you're in the U.S. and I believe it's 40% if you're in the U.K. (someone can correct me).
When the time comes, read up. Read the tax threads. And ask questions. I don't recommend filing by yourself the first year. I got a CPA to walk me thru the process & then file for me. I started filing on my own the next year. It's really not too hard.